Pneumatic-tire protector.



J. 0. GETZ. ,PNEUMATIO TIRE PROTECTOR.

AI PLIOATION FILED JAN. 24, 190B.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

IN VEN TOR WITNESSES:

To all whom 'it may concern:

" I ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN o. GETZ, or ALikMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

I No. 909,884.

Be it known-that I, JOHN OIGn'rz, citizen of the United" States, residing at Alameda, 1n the county of Alameda and State'of Californ a, ha vejnvented new'and useful Improvements 1n Pneumatic-Tire Protectors,

of which the following is a' specification.

My invention relates to an improved armor or shield for vehicle tires. It consists of 'a series of curved interlockmg plates fitting the exterior surface of the tire, and means for independently securing said plates to the wheel rim.

It also comprises details of construction which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

' which-- Fi re 1 is a part elevation andpart sectiona v ew of a portion of a wheel embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the same. I

Various metal and other protecting devices for the treads of pneumatic rubbertired wheels have been constructed, with means independent of the protectors by which they may be secured in place.

In my invention I have designed a series of independent flexibly and movably connected protecting shields, with unions which maintain them in place relative to each other, and additional devices by which they may be further securedto the wheel iece.

AA are sheets of metal or other endable material, which will be substantially impermeable to such obstructions as are liable to be met with upon the road. These sheets are bent first to a curvature to substantially that of the inflated tire to which they are to be fitted. At each end these plates are bent or folded back upon themselves as at 2 2*. The rearward bend 2 ina perfect protection for the tread of the tire,

with sufiicient mobility of the parts with relation to each other to accommodate them- Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 24, 1908. Serial No. 412,511

PNEUMATIC-TIRE rnornoron.'

' Patented Jan. 19, wool selves to the alternate compression and extensions of the tire surfaces without diswith the ground. In order to preventthese plates from turning out of their properposition, I have shownthem formed with extensions 3, which extensions are narrowed as shown, and ma have holes or slits made in their inner en s. These inner ends approach the rim of the felly of the wheel, and each plate of the armor may be secured by means of a cord, wire, strap or other se curing device which passes around the inner surface of the felly of the wheel 4.

In order to apply this sheet of armor, the air may be allowed to escape from the the which will thus collaps or become sulficiently smaller to allow as many of these plates to be interlocked and extend around the tire as are necessary to completely cover it. The length of each plate is sodesigned that a certain number; of-the plates .8 will encircle the tire, and by reason of .its I less diameter, the plates may be interlocked or hooked together. The tire then beln again inflated, will again expand and wi draw the interlocking edges of the armor plates closely together, a" wil1 at the same time fit itself closely wil :he shell on armor thus formed. The transverse securing cords or devices may then be introduced through the holes in the tongues or extensions and secured around the interior of the wheel felly; the shape and connection ofthe plates, and this transverse fastening serving to maintain the plates in their proper position with relation to the tire. It will be seen that at each interlock of plates there will be a sl ght projection on account; of the \inturning of the flanges 2*, and these projecting shoulders serve to increase the traction of the wheel upon the ground,-and' to prevent slipping on wet or yielding sur- I faces.

. The device can be readily disengaged and taken off in sections by simply deflating the tire and will, in addition to-protectmg the tire against puncture, largely prevent the wear caused by traction and shppageupon the road surface.

Having thus described my 1nvent1on,what

' I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isp 1. A tire armor consisting of a series of 60 in contact independent armor" along the periphery of the tire.

2. In a tire armor of the character described, independent plates curved to fit the transverse curvature of the tire, each plate having an outwardly turned lip atone end, and an inwardly turned lip end, said lips' adapted to interlock, central -extensions or-tongues upon 'each side of the plates projecting inwardly, and means by,

which each pair of tongues are connected across the interior o'f the wheel felly.'

3. In a tire armor of the character scribed, a series of independent plates transform respectively at the opposite versly curvedto'fi t the exterior of the tire, each plate having centraltongues-extending inwardly upon opposite sides of the felly,

and connecting wires or links entending across the interior of the felly, said plates having the ends bent in reverse directions to exterior and interior lipsadapted to interlock with those of the contiguous plates to form a continuous shoe and to form anti-slipping ridges upon the exterior. 4 v

In testimony whcreofl have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit nesses.

JOHN 0. Ge K WVitnesses \V LTER L. BRADBUBY, CLARENCE FULTON. 

